Weft replenishing loom



Dec. 12, 1944. c. DARWIN 2,364,954

WEFT REPLENI SHING LOOM Filed Oct. 25, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hill-In 'IllIIllA/IIII 1111111111. 'IIIIII'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I I HO 1 INvEN-I-QR ATTORNEY Dec. 12, 1944. c A W N 2,364,954

WEFT REPLENI SHING LOOM Filed 00+. 25, 1943 i 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Curr-0R0 DARWIN ATTORNEY Dec. 12, 1944. DARV N 2,364,954

WEFT REPLENI SHING LOOM Filed Oct. 25, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 125 CCD O INVENTOR '26 CLIFFORD DARWIN Ar'roRNEY Patented Dec. 12, 1944.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WEFT REPLENISHING LOOM Clifford Darwin, Worcester, Mass, assignor to Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 23, 1943, Serial No. 507,394 16 Claims. (o1.1s9-232) This invention relates to weft replenishing looms and it is the general object of the invention to provide a loom wherein several stacks of bobbins can be used for therepl'enishment' of a single shuttle while another stack is used for replenishing a second shuttle.

Certain types of fabrics require wefts oftwo different kinds, one which i consumed rapidly inthe weaving operation while the other is consumed at a relatively slow rate. In order that the loom'may operate for a considerable length of time with a single filling of the magazine, two or more stacks are assigned to the rapidly consumed weft while a single stack is used for. the other weft. to make provision for distributing the selections of bobbins from the group of stacks so that the stack will be depleted uniformly.

in certain types of looms to which such mechanisms haveybeen applied it has been customary to control the selector for the several bobbin releasers by mechanism including opposed springs, one spring acting on the selector and the other spring providing a yielding connection between the shifting shuttle box mechanism and the selector. It is an important object of my present invention to provide position controlling devices between the shifting shuttle box mechanism and the selector permitting the latter to assume two or more positions for one position of the shuttle boxes by means of a collapsible connector between the selector and its control mechanism.

. In the simplest and preferred formfofmy invention three stacks of a four-cell magazine are provided with coarse weft. and one stackwith fine weft and the color selector for the bobbin releasers of the several stacks is moved into registry with the one stack by connections from the shuttle box mechanism but is permitted to register with any one of the three stacks of coarse weft by means of a cam. In this feature of my invention the selector is urged forwardly by a compression spring in the aforesaid connector which yields varying amounts depending upon the position of the cam.

As heretofore constructed it has been customary to move the selector rearwardly by a positive connection from the shuttle boxes so that when the selector is shifting. from registry with the front .to the back stack it is acted upon by a positive force derived from the'box mechanism. It is because of thiscondition that it has heretofore been necessary to use the opposed springs already mentioned. In my present invention I reverse the direction of the positive forceso that. the selector In such a magazine it is necessary is urged forwardly by a force derived from the shuttle box mechanism and transmitted through the collapsible connector. This reversal permits me to use a spring to move the selector rearwardly and there is no need fora spring in the box motion connection.

In the modified form of my invention the parts are altered to permit the selector to register with the front two stacks under cam control and in addition register selectively with either of the rear two stacks. In this arrangement of my invention three shuttles are used one of which has coarse weft to be replenished by the front pair of stacks while the other two shuttles are replenished with distinctive weft from the rear stacks. In this second setting of my invention the moving force for the selector derived from the shifting shuttle box mechanism corresponds to a two-stack shift so that when the shuttle boxes have a one box shift the selector will shift from registry with the first stack to registry with the third stack. When the shuttle boxes shift to place the third shuttle in active position there is a further rearward movement of the selector tending to move the latter through a second twostack shift. Since there are only four stacks in the magazine it is necessary to arrest movement of the selector when it has reached registry with the fourth stack and compensate for the remainder of this second two-stack shift by some form of lost motion connection. This lost motion is very conveniently provided by moving the box motion lifter cams for the selector control mechanism to a position out of engagement with the control mechanism.

Whether the loom operates with two or three shuttles, the connections between the shifting shuttle box mechanism and the selector will be the same, the only difference being an adjustment in the position of the collapsible connector relatively to the selector. Furthermore, the loom can readily be converted to weave with four different colors without altering the connections between the box motion and the selector.

With these and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and set mechanism shown in Fig. 1 setting forth the positioning cam used with the preferred form and showing the selector lever and connector set in position for using the same kind of weft in the first three stacks of the magazine,

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged longitudinal sections through the collapsible connector showing it in different positions,

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary elevation of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 in a different position, and on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the connections between the shifting shuttle box mechanism and the selector and indicating the shifting shuttle boxes,

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. '7 but showing the cam used with the modified form of the-invention, and

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are diagrammatic views of the modified form showing the selector and control parts therefor in different positions.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the loom frame to comprising a breast beam II on which is mounted the frame of the usual multi-color weft replenishing mechanism M. In the present instance the mechanism M accommodates four vertical stacks of reserve bobbins designated generally at I2, l3, l4 and I5. These stacks of bobbins are provided with the usual bobbin releasing cradles designated generally at I6 operated by vertically reciprocable slides or releasers I1, l8, l9 and 26.

A selector 22 for the releasers is mounted on a horizontally sliding rod 23 and has front and back releaser operating fingers 24 and 25, respectively. The selector is capable of having four longitudinal positions in each of which its fingers will register with one or another of the bobbin releasers. The latter are normally down but are raised preparatory to bobbin release and subsequently depressed to complete release, whereupon the affected bobbin will descend to a common transfer position under transferrer arm 26.

The upper part of the magazine is provided with a horizontal rocking shaft 30 the forward end of which is connected by arm 3| to a descending rod 32 operatively connected as at 33 to the normally inactive transfer latch 34 pivoted on the transferrer arm 28. A shelf 35 secured to the shaft 39 is normally in raised position but when one or another of the vertical slides is raised an operating dog 38 thereon extends over the shelf 30 and upon subsequent depression of the raised slide this dog engages and lowers the shelf, thereupon rocking the shaft 36 in such a direction as to depress rod 32 and lift the latch 34 into the path of a transfer hunter 3'! on the lay L.

The resetting mechanism for the shaft 30 and shelf comprises a thread cutter and shuttle feeler 40 pivoted as at 4| to the magazine frame and connected to an upwardly extending rod 42 attached to an arm 43 secured to shaft 30. The lower end of the thread cutter and shuttle feeler do is normally in the forward position shown in Fig. 1, but when the shelf 35 is depressed rod 42 is raised and the head 45 0f the thread cutter is projected rearwardly while the lay is in its back position. As the lay advances it strikes the head 45 and moves it forwardly, thereupon depressing rod 42 and returning the shaft 3|! to its normal position with shelf 35 raised.

The loom is provided with the usual weft detector designated at D controlling a pin 50 movable into and out of the path of a lever 5| which floats on a vertically reciprocating bar 52. A rod 53 extends upwardly from one end of the lever 5| and is attached as at 55 to a web 56 extending longitudinally of and forming part of the selector 22. Under normal conditions when sufficient weft is present in the shuttle S during the detecting interval lever 5| descends idly due to the fact that pin 50 is moved forwardly by the detector D. When exhaustion of weft is indicated, however, the pin 50 remains in the path of lever 5| and the latter upon downward movement of the bar 52 causes rocking of the selector in such a direction as to raise its fingers and cause elevation of that releaser registered with the selector. This operation occurs When the shuttle is at the magazine end of the loom, and at a later time in the operation bar 52 is raised to give the selector 22 an opposite rocking movement to lower its fingers and thereby depress any previously raised releaser registering with the selector. The downward movement of the fingers 24 and 25 which lowers the releasers occurs regularly at two-pick intervals when the shuttle is at the drop box end of the loom opposite the magazine.

In addition to the rocking movements already described the selector has a longitudinal movement transmitted to it through a grooved collar 60 secured to the rear end of rod 23 and receiving a lug 6| on the upper end of a lever 62 pivoted as at 63 to the magazine frame. Lever 62 is provided with a roll 65 to engage the rear part of a cam C for the preferred form, or C for the modified form of the invention. These cams are mounted for rotation one at a time on a stud 61 secured to the magazine frame and will be further described hereinafter.

Secured to the cam is a ratchet wheel 10 retatable on the stud 61 and having in the present instance six teeth for engagement with a pawl H pivoted to a lever 12 mounted for rocking movement relatively to the magazine frame as at 13. A pivotal connection 14 between the pawl and the lever 12 permits movement of the pawl relatively to the lever away from the cam and against the action of a light tension spring 15 which tends to hold the pawl toward the ratchet wheel. A yieldable lock roll 16 and lock wheel 11 is secured to'the ratchet and cam serves to hold them in the several angular positions which they may occupy. If desired a shield 18 may be pivoted on the stud 61 and be connected by link 19 to lever 62. The shield occupies four positions corresponding to the four positions of lever 62 as the latter moves with the selector to its four positions. In the preferred form the shield is out of the path of the pawl for three of these positions, link 19 fitting into hole in shield arm 8| for the purpose. In the modified form link 19 fits a hole 82 in arm 8| and is in shielding position relatively to the pawl for the last two positions.

Shaft 30 carries an arm 85 pivoted to the top of a depending rod 86 connected to lever 12. Down motion of rod 86 when the magazine is set for transfer lowers lever 12 and pawl II, and subsequent. resetting of the magazine causes up motion of the pawl to rock the ratchet Wheel and cam secured to it one-sixth of a turn.

The matter thus far described, except cam C and link 19 and hole 82 in arm 80, closely follows well-known mechanism heretofore used in automatic shuttle box looms operating with several shuttles which become active one at a time and are picked toward and away from that end of the lay under the magazine M. Whenever the detector indicates weft exhaustion one of the releasers will be raised and thereafter lowered to set the magazine for transfer, this setting involving lifting of the latch 34 to transfer position, movement of the shuttle feeler 40 rearwardly, and

lowering of paw1 l I. When the magazine is reset invention into effect I provide means by which the selector 22 can be controlled jointly by the-cam C and the gang of shifting shuttle boxes B shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8 for the replenishment of two shuttles. Th gang has box cells 90, 9|, 32 and 93, but only the top two cells are used, being occupied by shuttles S and S2, respectively. A lever I is pivoted as at IBI with respect to the loom frame and has three arms th lower of which I000. is connected to a tension spring I02 anchored to the loom and the rear arm I00b of which is pivoted to a depending rod I03. The upper arm I000 is attached to a connector I05 of special construction shown more particularly in Figs. l, 5 and 6. This connector comprises a rod head I06 pivoted to the arm I000 asby'a stud I31. The rear end of a rod I08 is threaded into the rod head while its forward end projects into a sleeve I03. The sleeve has a head IIO mounted on a stud I I I extending through a slot IE2 of lever 32 and held in adjusted position along the length of the slot in any approved manner. A pin H3 extends across the sleeve I09 and through a radial slot I I I passing through the rod I08. The end of the rod at the right hand end of slot lid as viewed in Fig. 4 is normally held against vpin IE3 by a compression spring H5 housed within the sleeve and having the right end thereof bearing against the head H0. The

rod I08 can move toward the head IIO against the action of spring II5 as will be described hereinafter.

The position of lever I00 is determined by mechanism connected to the rod I03 and may be similar to that shown in Palmer and Gordon Patent No. 2,238,520. Extending across the loom is a shaft I having anarm I2I connected to the lower end of rod I03 at the magazine end of the loom, and having an arm I22 connected to a link I23 at the opposite or drop box end of th loom. For convenience link I23 is shown as pivoted to a lever I24 positioned to engage front and back 'cams I25 and I23 connected to box shifting mechanism not shown which determines the position of the shifting shuttle boxes B through the box lifter lever I27. These cams are given half rotations by the box shifting mechanism and each cam has a high dwell I28 and a low dwell I29. The spring I02 serves to exert a downward force on rod I03 and therefore tends to hold the lever I24 against the cams, while the latter lift the rod I03 against the action of the spring to rock the lever I00.

In the operation of the referred form of the invention it may be assumed that the selector 22 is in the extreme forward position shown in full lines in Fig. 8 due to the fact that box 90 and shuttle S are active and the high dwells of the cams have lifted the lever I 24 and have therefore rocked lever I00 to the right or full line position. When in this position the loonnector I05 is fully extended as shown in Fig. 4 because of the fact that the cam C has a low dwell I30 thereof under roll 65. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3 the cam has a high dwell I3I of an angular length corresponding to two feeding motions of the ratchet wheel, has two intermediate-dwells I32 each corresponding to one feeding motion of the ratchet, while the low dwell is of similar angular length to dwell I3 I The roll 65 is held by spring II5 against the low dwell at the beginning of operations and it is for this reason that the selector 22 registers with the front bobbin releaser I'I.

When a replenishing operation occursv releaser I! will be reciprocated in the usual manner and the resetting of the magazine will give the p wl 'I I a workingstroke to advance cam C one-sixth of a turn. Under these conditions the shield 18 is held in idle position, and as the cam turns: one of its intermediate dwells moves the roll 65 to move lever 62 rearwardly, thereby moving the shield toward but still out of shielding position and at the same time moving the selector 22 into register with releaser I8. The next replenishing operation therefore effects reciprocation of the releaser I8 and serve-s by another rocking of the cam by pawl II to register the selector with the releaser I9 as the high dwell I3I moves under roll65. Under these conditions the shield is still in non-shielding position because of the fact that link 19 is located in the rear hole of the arm 8 I.

Subsequent replenishing operations of the loom involving the front three stacks of the magazine will move the cam C successively by progressive movements similar to those already described, the fourth transfer drawing another bobbin from the third stack I4, the fifth transfer drawing a bobbin from stack I3, and the sixth transfer returning the selector 22 to its front position so that another bobbin can be drawn from stack I2, In this way the stacks I2, I3 and I4 supply two bobbins each for the replenishment of shuttle S during a, six transfer cycle occurring when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8 with rod I03 raised.

It is to be understood that as the cam moves lever 62 rearwardly the spring H5 in the collapsible connector I05 will undergo compression, being in the position shown in Fig. 5 when the selector registers with releaser I0 and being in registers the selector with the front two releasers as the cam C continues to turn.

In the foregoing operation it hasv been assumed that all of the replenishing operations involve the coarse or predominant Weft with which'stacks I2, I3 and I4 are supplied. The pattern may, however, call for activity of shuttle S2 at any time independently of the position of cam C, in which case the upward shifting of the gang B to place box 9| in action will be accompanied by a'rooking of cams I25 and I26 through a half revolution the effect of which is to lower lever I24 through a space corresponding to a one-box shift. The leverage of the connections between the levers I24 and 62 is such that the one-box shift of lever I24 corresponds to a three-space shift of the selector 22. Therefore the lever I00 moves to its rearmost dotted line position of Fig. 8 and the lever 62 as well as the selector move to their extreme rearward position with the selector registered with releaser 20. The leverage referred to is a three to one ratio and is accomplished in part by having the stud III near the lower end of slot 2. When the parts are in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8 shuttle S2 will be replenished from stack I5. The pin I I3 is at the forward end of slot I I4 during this last operation due to action of spring I I5 and as lever I is rocked to its rearmost position by spring I02 the lever 62 is moved backwardly by a force transmitted positively through the telescopic link I05. If the shift of the selector is from registry with releaser II to releaser 20 there will be no change in the position of spring H5, the connector I moving rearwardly without relative change of its parts as though it were a solid connector. If the shift is from releaser I8 or I9 to releaser 20 there will first be an expansion of the spring I I5 from the position of Fig. 5 or 6, as the case may be, until the position shown in Fig. 4 is established, after which rearward movement of the connector I05 will proceed as though it were solid. Thus it will be seen that when the selector registers with releaser 2.0 there is no deformation of spring II5. In mechanisms of this general type heretofore used there has always been a spring which was subjected to deformation, usually expansion, during rearward movement of the selector, and this difference is an important feature of my present invention.

It is to be understood that when the selector is in register with the releaser 20, the lever 62 will have moved rearwardly far enough to move the shield I8 into such position as will prevent the pawl from turning the ratchet when the magazine is reset after a replenishing operation involving bobbins from stack I 5. In this way the order in which bobbins are drawn from the front three stacks is not interrupted by a transfer from the rearmost stack. This feature is shown in Turner Patent No. 2,291,997, and in itself is not new except in so far as the shield is controlled through connector I05,

In the modified form of my invention I make provision by which the front stacks I2 and I3 provide the same kind of Weft for the replenishment of one shuttle and each of the rear stacks I4'and I5 provide distinctive weft for the replenishment of two other shuttles so that the modified form of the invention is concerned with the replenishment of three different shuttles from four stacks of bobbins in the magazine. This form of the invention is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 9 to 12 but the greater part of the mechanism involved is the same as that employed for the preferred form.

The cam C is replaced by a cam C having three high dwells I50 between which are located the low dwells I5I. This cam C is therefore able to give the lever 62 only two positions. The stud I I I is moved upwardly in the slot I I2 a sufficient distance so that the multiplication of the motion received from lever I24 is in the ratio of two to one. In addition to these changes there will be a third shuttle S3 which will occupy the box 92, and link I9 will occupy hole 82 in arm 8|.

In the operation of this modified form the connections from the box motion cams will be in the positions illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. to 12. When shuttle S is active the gang of boxes B will be in lowest position and this will correspond to Fig. 10 where the high parts of camsI25 and I26 are under the lever I24. The

rod I03 is therefore in its extreme upward position and the selector 22 will register with the front bobbin releaser II when a low dwell I5I is under roll 65. Because of the collapsible connector I05 the selector can also register with the releaser I8 when a high dwell I50 is under roll 65. Shuttle S can therefore be replenished from bobbins drawn from stacks I2 or I3 and the selection for such transfer occur alternately between these two stacks so that they are uniformly depleted for successive replenishing operations involving the shuttle S.

When it is desired to weave weft corresponding to shuttle S2 the box gang B will rise one space and there will be a corresponding change in the position of cam I25 from that shown in Fig. 10 to that of Fig. 11 so that its low dwell engages the right or forward end of lever I24.

There is a corresponding down motion of con nector I03 induced by spring I02 equivalent to a one-piece box shift, but since the stud II I is located as already described, lever 62 will be given a movement equal to a two space shift of the selector and the latter will register with releaser I9. Shuttle S2 can therefore be replenished by bobbins derived from stack I4.

When shuttle S3 becomes active both cams I25 and I26 are given half turns and lever I24 has a further downward motion because of the fact that the connection between link I23 and lever I24 is nearer cam I26 than it is to cam I25. If lever I24 followed the cams I25 and I26 as the latter move from the position of Fig. 11 to that of Fig. 12, lever 62 would move the releaser 22 to the left out of register with releaser 20 under action of spring I02. The stop I55, however, serves to locate the selector 22 in register with releaser 20 as the cams change from the position in Fig. II to position of Fig. 12, but before the change is completed. After selector 22 has engaged the stop the cams continue to turn, but lever I24 cannot continue its downward movement because of the stop and. one or another of the cams will therefore be located below and out of contact with the lever. In Fig, 12 the rear part of lever I24 is shown as located above the cam I26, but this is only one of the conditions which may exist, inasmuch as the forward end of the lever may be out of contact with cam I25, or both ends of the lever may be out of contact with their respective cams. It will be noted that the connections from the lever I24 up to the selector 22 are not subjected to strain other than that arising from spring I02, cams I25 and I26 being temporarily out of control of the lever I24. This is a significant difference over construction heretofore employed and is another important feature of my invention. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 12 shuttle S3 can be replenished from the bobbins in stack I5.

Since link I9 is in hole 82, the shield is in non-shielding position when the selector registers with releasers II and I8, but when lever 62 has moved to register the selector with releaser I9, the upper part of the shield disables the pawl TI, and when lever 62 moves to register the selector with releaser 20 the lower part of the shield disables the pawl 'II. By this shift of the link I9, therefore, to the right hand hole 82 in arm 8!, transfers involving bobbins in the distinctive stacks I4 and I5 do not alter the position of the cam C, and when the shuttle S again becomes active the selector will be registered with the releaser I"! or I8 with which it previously registered and there will be no interruption in the alternate drawing of bobbins from the front pair of stacks. As is true in the preferred form of my invention, the shield is not essential to the operation of all features of my invention, but it is desirable inasmuch as it permits the use of the full capacity of stacks I2 and I3 for the replenishment of shuttle S.

When the loom is to be adapted for weaving with four colors as is usual in looms of the type to which my invention applies, the stud III will be given a further upward movement in the slot H2 so that there will be no multiplication of the movement derived from lever I24, and the ratio between the movement of the selector and the lever I24 willbe one to one. Under these conditions the cams C and C will be removed and the selector 22 will be registered with the four bobbin releasers by a control derived solely from lever I24 without modification by any cam. When the magazine is thus set for replenishing four distinctive colors, the connector I will operate as though it were solid. In this last setting of the magazine, and also in the setting for the preferred and modified forms of the invention, the effect of spring II5 is to exert a left hand movement on lever I00, but this is the same kind of movement which is induced by spring I02. When the spring H5 is under compression it exerts its force through lever I00, rod I03 and link I23 to the lever I24 and thence to the cams I25 and I26 without being opposed to the spring I 02. This relationship whereby the springs are not opposed to each other is a si nificant feature of my present invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided means for converting the usual fourcolor automatic weft replenishing loom so that one shuttle carrying predominant weft can be replenished from two or three cells of the magazine, and that one or two shuttles can be used for fancy stripe effects, being replenished either from cell 20, or cells I9 and 20. It will further be seen that the collapsible connector I05 permits the selector to assume positions in register with releasers I8 or I9, or both, without opposing its force to spring I02 because of the fact that cams I25 and IE0 take the downward thrust of rod I03. Furthermore, it will be seen that when the magazine is set to operate according to the modified form of the invention the cams I25 or I25 merely move out of engagement with the lever I24 upon engagement of the selector with its stop without requiring any compensating feature of the connections between levers I24 and 62. It will also be noted that the magazine is readily convertible to four-color automatic weaving merely by renooval of the cams C and C, the collapsible con- I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, but what I claim is:

1. In a welt replenishing loom having a plurality of stacks of reserve bobbins and operating with two shuttles one of which is replenished from a group of said stacks and the other of which is replenished from one of said stacks, a selector to register with said stacks one at a time,

an actuator for said selector having one position when one of said shuttles is active and having a second position when the other shuttle is active, and positioning mechanism for said selector including 'a telescopic member operatively connected to the actuator and causing said selector to register with said one stack when the actuator is in said one position, and a stop forming part of said positioning mechanism and having steps, one for each stack in said group, and capable of determining with which stack in the group said selector shall register when the actuator is in said second position and also determining the extent to which the length of said telescopic member shall change from normal length when the actuator moves from said one to said second position.

2. Ina Weft replenishing loom having a plurality of stacks of reserve bobbins and operating with a shuttle to be replenished by bobbins drawn from. any one of a group of said stacks and operating also with a second shuttle to be replenished by bobbins drawn from a stack additional to said group, a selector for saidstacks movable into register therewith, one at a time, an actuator for the selector occupying one position when one of said shuttles is active and occupying a second position when the second of said shuttles is active, a variable stop operative when said one shuttle is active and said actuator is in said one position and dependent upon the position thereof determining with which stack in said group the selector shall register, and a resilient telescopic member interposed between the actuator and the selector to communicate a force from the actuator to theselector andhave the length thereof altered, dependingsupon the position of the stop, when said one shuttle is active, and said telescopic member operative when the second shuttle is operative to register said selector with said additional stack when the actuator moves to said second position.

"3. In a weft replenishing loom having stacks of reserve bobbins and operating with a plurality of shuttles one of which is replenished by bobbins drawn from a group of said stacks and another of which is replenished by bobbins drawn from another stack, a selector for said stacks movable into register with said stacks, one at a time, an actuator for said selector having a given movement from one position when said one shuttle is active to another position when the other shuttle is active, a telescopic connector between said actuator and selector to move the latter by a force derived from the actuator, and a variable stop for said selector operative when said actuator moves to said one position causing said selector to register with different stacks of said group of v stacks, dependent upon the position of said stop,

and cause different. degrees of variation in the length of said telescopic connector, said telescopic connector operative to register the selector with said other stack when the actuator is in said other position thereof.

4. .In a weft replenishing loom having a pluralit of stacks of 'IBSEIVG bobbins and operating with a shuttle to.be replenished from a group of said stacks and operating with a second shuttle to be replenished from another stack not included in. said group, a stack selector movable into register with said stacks, one at a time, an actuator occupying one position when said one shuttle is active and occupying the second position when said second shuttle is active, a variable stop having a step for each stack in said group and mov-\ able to present said steps progressively into controlling position, and connections between the actuator and said selector including a part to engage the step in controlling position and including also a resilient member transmitting a force from the actuator to the selector and yielding varying amounts, depending upon which step is in controlling position, when the actuator is in said one position, and said connections and resilient member operative to register the selector with said other stacks when the actuator moves to said second position.

5. In a weft replenishing loom having a group of stacks of reserve bobbins for the replenishment of a shuttle and a selector movable into register with the stacks, one at a time, an actuator for the selector moving to a given position when said shuttle is active, a variable stop for the selector having steps moving progressively to controlling position, and a force transmitting member between the actuator and the selector having two parts movable relatively to each other and a resilient element between said parts, said member having different lengths due to cooperation of said actuator and said variable stop dependent upon which step is in controlling position, and cooperating with the actuator and stop to register the selector with said stacks progressively as the steps'move progressively to controlling position.

6. In a weft replenishing loom having a group of reserve bobbin stacks and a stack selector and also having a variable stop for the selector, an actuator for the selector, and a force transmitting means between the actuator and the selector and having a deformable resilient element to transmit a yielding force from the actuator to the selector in cooperation with the variable stop and register the selector with the stacks, one at a time, dependent upon the position of said stop.

7. In a weft replenishing loom having a plurality of stacks of reserve bobbins and a selector movable into register with said stacks, one at' a time, and having also an actuator for the selector movable to two positions and a variable stop for said selector, force transmitting means interposed between the actuator and the selector including a deformable element cooperating with the actuator and stop and yielding varying amounts depending upon the position of the stop to cause registry of the selector with any selected stack of a group included in said plurality of stacks when the actuator is in one position thereof and cooperating with the actuator when the latter is in the other position thereof to move said selector out of control of the stop and into registry with another stack additional to the stacks in said group.

8. In weft replenishing loom having a plurality of stacks of reserve bobbins including a group of stacks having similar bobbins and a selector movable into register with all of said stacks. one at a t me. and having also an actuator lever for the selector movable to two positions and a variable stop for said selector having steps corresponding to the stacks of said group. a second lever for engagement with the steps of said. stop. one stop at a time. and connected to the selector. and a telescopic connector between said levers operative to transmit a yielding force in one direction when the actuator lever is in one position to move the second lever against said stop for determination by said stop of the stack in said group with which the selector shall register and transmitting a positive force in the opposite direction when said actuator lever moves to the other position thereof to efiect'registry of the selector with a stack outside of said group.

9. In a weft replenishing loom having four stacks of reserve bobbins, three stacks of which form a group all of the bobbins of which are of the same kind, and the fourth stack of which contains bobbins of a difierent kind, a selector to register with the stacks, one at a time, a threestep cam movable to place the steps thereof progressively in operative position relatively to the selector, an actuator having two positions, and a resilient telescopic connector between the actuator and the selector effective when the actuator is in one position to cause cooperation between the selector and the cam step in operative position to register the selector with the stack of the group corresponding to the step in operative position and operative when the actuator is in the other position thereof to move the selector into register with said one stack.

10. In a Weft replenishing loom having three shuttle boxes each movable to active position and provided with weft replenishing mechanism including four stacks of reserve bobbins, the first and second stacks of which have similar bobbins and the third and fourth stacks of which each have distinctive bobbins, said mechanism having a stack selector registerable with the stacks, one at atime, actuator mechanism moving in timed relation with the shuttle boxes and having three positions, one position for each shuttle box, connections between the actuator mechanism and the selector including a resilient telescopic member effective to transmit a yielding force from the control mechanism to the selector tending to move the latter into registry with the first stack when said actuator mechanism is in the first of its positions, effective to move the selectorto register with the third stack when said actuator mechanism is in the second of the positions thereof and effective to move said selector into registry with the fourth stack when the actuator mechanism is in the third position thereof, and a stop for the selector movable into and out of stopping position with respect to the selector and when in the stopping position when the actuator mechanism is in the first position thereof causing deformation of said telescopic member to effect registry of the selector with the second stack. 11. In a weft replenishing mechanism having four stacks of reserve bobbins the first and second of which have similar bobbins and the third and fourth of which have distinctive bobbins, the loom having a selector to register with the stacks, one at a time, actuator means including two cams movable to three different relationships, connections between said cams and selector to transmit a force from said cams to the selector tending to move the latter into registry with the first stack when said cams are in one relationship, a telescopic element included in said connections, a stop for said selector movable to two positions and cooperating with the telescopic element to register. the selector with either the first or the second stack, dependent upon the position of said stop, when said actuator cams are in said one relationship. resilient means acting on said selector tending to move the latter in registry with the fourth stack but overpowered by said cams when the latter are in their second relationship to cause the selector to register with the third stack, and said resilient means operative when the actuator cams are in their third relationship to register the selector with the fourth stack.

12. In a weft replenishing loom having four stacks of reserve bobbins the first and second of which have bobbins of the same type and the third and fourth of which have bobbins of distinctive type, a selector to register with the stacks, one at a time, a lever having three different positions, a resilient telescopic connector between the lever and selector, and a variable stop for the selector, said lever when in the first position thereof exerting a force through said telescopic connector tending to move the selector in register with the first stack, said stop when in one position registering the selector with the second stack and causing deformation of said telescopic connector and when in another position causing the telescopic connector to register the selector with the first stack, said lever when in the second position thereof transmitting a force through said telescopic connector to the selector to register the latter with the thirdstack, and the lever when in the third position thereof transmitting a force through the telescopic connector to register the selector with the fourth stack.

13. In a weft replenishing loom operating with three shuttle boxes each of which is capable of being in active position and the loom having. four stacks of reserve bobbins, the first and second of which have similar weft corresponding to the first shuttle box and the third and fourth stacks having distinctive wefts corresponding to the second and third shuttle boxes, respectively, two cams moving in timed relationwith the shuttle boxes and assuming three different relationships, one for each shuttle box which is in active position, a selector registerable with said stacks, one at a time, connections between said cam means and said selector transmitting a yielding force in one direction corresponding to movement of the selector into registry with the first stack, a spring tending to move said connections in the opposite direction and tending to register the selector with the fourth stack, and a variable stop for the selector movable to two positions,'one for each of the first and second stacks, said cams when in their first relationship causing. said connections to register the selector with the first stack if said stop is in one position thereof and causing said connections to register the selector with the sec- !ond stack if said stop is in the other-position thereof, and said spring cooperating with said cams when the latter are in their second relationship to cause the connector to register the selector with the third stack, a second stop permanently positioned to limit movement of the selector in a direction away from said first stack, and said spring acting through said connector and cooperating with said second stop independently of the cams to register the selector with a fourth stack when said cams are in their third relationship.

14. In a weft replenishing loom having a plurality of stacks of reserve bobbins and a selector registerable with said stacks, one at a time, a positioner movable positively from a rear position corresponding to registry of the selector with the rearmost stack to a front position corresponding to registry of the selector with the foremost stack, resilient means tending to move said positioner to the rear position thereof, a resilient telescopic connector between the positioner and the selector transmitting a positive force from said positioner to said selector when said resilient mean moves the positioner to the rear position thereof, and said telescopic connector being deformable when the positioner moves positively to the front position thereof to permit registry of said selector with any of the stacks other than said rearmost stack.

15. In a weft replenishing loom having a plurality of stacks of reserve bobbins and a selector movable back and forth to register with said stacks, one at a time, a positioner moving positively in one direction, resilient means to move the positioner yieldingly in the opposite direction, and a yieldable connector between said positioner and selector operative to transmit positively a force from said positioner to said selector to cause the latter to register with one of the stacks when said resilient means movesthe positioner in said opposite direction, and capable of transmitting a force from said positioner when the latter moves in said one direction to said selector to cause the latter to register with another of said stacks.

16. In a Weft replenishing. loom having four stacks of reserve bobbins the first and second of which have bobbins of the same type and the third and fourth of which have bobbins of distinctive types, a selector common to the stacks capable of registery with the stacks, one at a time, a controller for the selector having three different positions, a positioner for the selector having two positions, one for each of said first and second stacks, connections between the controller and selector to register the latter with the third and fourth stacks when the controller is in the second and third positions thereof, respectively, said positioner effective to register the selector with either the first or second stack, depending upon the positionof said positioner, when the controller is in the first position thereof, mechanism to alternate the position of said positioner between the positions thereof when the controller is in the first position thereof, and means cooperating with said positioner to effect alternate registry of the selector with said first and second stacks when the mechanism alternates the position of said positioner and while the con- 

